Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Accelerate your Companion Pass and A-List journey
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card delivers premium Southwest benefits designed for frequent flyers who want more control over their travel experience. With 4X points on Southwest purchases, free checked bags for up to 9 travelers, and exclusive access to Extra Legroom and Preferred seating, this card transforms every flight into a more comfortable journey while fast-tracking your path to Companion Pass and A-List elite status.
- Annual Fee
- $229
- points · Welcome Bonus
- 60,000
- Highest rate (conditional)
- Up to 5X (Lyft)
Terms checked against the issuer on October 10, 2026
At a Glance
- Annual Fee
- $229
- Authorized User Fee
- $0
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- $0
- Network
- Visa Signature
- Rewards Currency
- Southwest Rapid Rewards
- Point Valuation
- 1.2–1.4 cpp (mid: 1.25)
- Credit Required
- Good to Excellent
Welcome Offer
60,000
points
Spend $2,000 in the first 3 months
Get 60,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Not available if you have a current Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card or received a new cardmember bonus within the last 24 months.
Earning Rates
- 4X
Southwest
4x points on Southwest purchases including flights, inflight, gift cards, and Getaways by Southwest packages
- 2X
Dining
2x points on dining purchases
- 2X
Gas Stations
2x points on gas station purchases
- 5X
LyftLimited time
5X total points on qualifying Lyft products and services purchased through the Lyft mobile application through 12/31/2027
- 1X
All Other
1X points on all purchases
Earning Scenarios
4X Points on Southwest Airlines Purchases
Earn 4 Rapid Rewards points per dollar on purchases made directly with Southwest Airlines, including flights, inflight purchases, Southwest gift cards, and Getaways by Southwest packages.
Book a $400 round-trip flight and earn 1,600 Rapid Rewards points.
2X Points at Gas Stations
Earn double points at gas stations to turn your daily commute or road trip fill-ups into Rapid Rewards points. Every tank of gas brings you closer to your next Southwest flight.
Spend $200/month on gas and earn 4,800 bonus points per year—worth 3-4 Southwest one-way flights.
2X Points at Restaurants
Earn 2X points on all restaurant purchases including dine-in, takeout, and delivery. Your everyday dining expenses now accelerate your Rapid Rewards balance.
Spend $500/month dining out and earn 12,000 bonus points annually—enough for 8-10 one-way domestic flights.
1X Points on All Other Purchases
Earn 1 Rapid Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases. Every card swipe contributes to your next Southwest vacation, whether you're buying groceries, paying bills, or shopping online.
Spend $2,000/month on everyday purchases and earn 24,000 points per year in base earning alone.
Benefits & Perks
Travel Benefits
7 perksGeneral Travel
Flights & Airlines
Annual Credits & Statement Credits
2 creditsUp to
$240
in recurring credits (annual)
$10/mo Instacart+
3-month complimentary Instacart+ membership plus $10 monthly Instacart statement credit (up to $120/year) through December 2027
—
Monthly
DoorDash DashPass
Get one-year complimentary DashPass, membership for both Doordash and Caviar, that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower
$10
Monthly
Insurance & Protections
7 protections24/7 worldwide travel and emergency assistance
Access 24/7 multilingual travel assistance including medical referrals, legal help, emergency cash, and lost luggage support.
Extended warranty adds up to 1 year
Get an additional year of warranty protection on eligible electronics and appliances with original warranties of 3 years or less.
Up to $3,000 lost luggage coverage per trip
$3,000
secondary
Get reimbursed up to $3,000 per person per trip for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage when traveling with your card.
$500 per claim on theft or damage
$500
Get reimbursement up to $500 per claim for items stolen or damaged by accident within 120 days (90 for NY residents).
$100/day baggage delay coverage, up to 3 days
$300
secondary
Reimbursed up to $100 a day for up to 3 days for essentials when checked baggage is delayed more than 6 hours.
Show all 7 protectionsShow fewer protections
24/7 roadside dispatch assistance (pay-per-use)
24/7 roadside assistance including jump-start, lockout, towing, and fuel delivery. Services charged as flat fee per call.
$500,000 travel accident insurance
$500,000
primary
Accidental death and dismemberment coverage up to $500,000 when traveling on common carriers paid with your card
Dining Out
2x at restaurants
Rapid Rewards
≈$2.50 in value on a $100 dinner, at our valuation of 1.25¢ per point
Annual fee: $229
Explore 5,512 New York restaurants with this cardStack a dining program
Rakuten Dining
5% back at 20,618 participating restaurants, on top of this card's 2x, once you join and link this card.
+$5
cash back, or ≈$5.50 as points
More on a $100 dinner
Program & Transfers
Rapid Rewards
The loyalty program that actually rewards loyalty
Southwest Rapid Rewards is the loyalty program of Southwest Airlines, offering points that never expire and no blackout dates on award travel. In January 2026, Southwest introduced major changes including assigned seating, new fare classes (Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra), and checked bag fees for most fares. Southwest operates without alliance partnerships, focusing on extensive domestic coverage and select international destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Rapid Rewards uses a revenue-based earning model where points are earned based on ticket price and fare class. Basic fares earn 2x points while Choice Extra (formerly Business Select) earns 14x. Points can be redeemed for any available seat with no blackout dates, and award pricing uses dynamic pricing tied to cash fares. The program's signature benefit is the Companion Pass, which allows a designated companion to fly free on all flights for up to two years. Southwest partners with Chase for co-branded credit cards that provide the first checked bag free, accelerated earning, and points that count toward Companion Pass qualification. Card welcome bonuses and spending can help members quickly reach the 135,000 qualifying points needed.
Program Ratings
Recent Changes & News
Effective January 27, 2026, Southwest replaced open seating with assigned seating and renamed fare classes to Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra. Extra Legroom seats are now available on Choice Extra fares.
Starting May 28, 2025, checked bags are no longer free on most Southwest fares. Only Choice Extra fares, A-List Preferred members, and Southwest credit card holders receive free checked bags.
Southwest expanded internationally with codeshare agreements with Icelandair and China Airlines, allowing members to earn Rapid Rewards points on connecting itineraries.
Sweet Spots — Best Redemptions
| Route / Property | Points | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| US to Hawaii | 8,000–17,000 | economy | Pacific Islands |
| US Domestic Short-Haul | 3,000–5,000 | economy | United States |
| US Domestic Cross-Country | 8,000–15,000 | economy | United States |
| US to Caribbean/Mexico | 8,000–15,000 | economy | Caribbean |
| US to Central America | 12,000 | economy | Central America |
| Companion Pass Value Play | 0 | economy | Global |
Reviews & Analysis
Third-Party Rankings & Ratings
4 sourcesCategory Rankings (1 category)
How It Compares
The Priority card is Southwest's premium personal credit card, positioned above the Plus and Premier cards with exclusive seat selection benefits, higher earning rates, and accelerated Companion Pass qualification. Unlike the Performance Business card, it's designed for personal travelers who fly Southwest frequently enough to value early boarding and premium seating but don't yet have elite status.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- +10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost every year accelerates path to free companion flights
- +7,500 anniversary bonus points ($112+ value) help offset the annual fee
- +Earn 2,500 TQPs toward A-List status per $5K annual spend
- +Unlimited Extra Legroom seat upgrades at 48 hours when available
- +Free first checked bag for cardholder and up to 8 passengers on same reservation
- +Complimentary preferred/standard seat selection at booking (2026+ assigned seating)
- +25% back on inflight drinks and Wi-Fi as a statement credit
Cons
- -$229 annual fee is steep compared to mid-tier airline cards
- -Legacy $75 travel credit and EarlyBird benefits ended December 2025
- -Only 1x points on non-category purchases limits everyday earning
- -No lounge access included despite premium pricing
- -Southwest's limited route network reduces card utility for some travelers
Who It's Best For
Best For
- Southwest loyalists actively pursuing Companion Pass (10K point boost annually)
- Frequent Southwest flyers who want A-List status via card spend (2,500 TQPs per $5K)
- Travelers who fly with family/friends and want free bags + Group 5 boarding for up to 8 companions
- Anyone who values guaranteed Extra Legroom upgrades 48 hours before departure
- Heavy Southwest spenders who can maximize 4x points on Southwest purchases
Not Ideal For
- Occasional travelers who fly Southwest less than 3-4 times per year
- Those who already have Companion Pass or A-List through flying alone
- Budget travelers who can't justify $229 annual fee without maximizing all benefits
- International travelers (Southwest flies primarily domestic routes)
The Math: Is $229 Worth It?
First-year value includes $750 welcome bonus
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$144
Annual Fee
-$229
Net Annual Value
-$85
Details & Terms
Application Rules
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Southwest personal bonus, once per 24 months | Chase says this card is not available to current Cardmembers of any Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card, or to previous Cardmembers who received a new Cardmember bonus within the last 24 months. This does not apply to Business Card and Employee Credit Card products. |
| 5/24 | Chase applications will be declined if 5 new cards have been added to your personal credit report in the past 24 months. |
| Chase 2/30 | You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days |
| Chase 4/6 | Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months |
Payment Terms
| Purchase APR | 19.49%–27.99% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $0 |
FAQs
Can I use my Southwest points for someone else?
You can. It’s actually better to book a flight for someone else with your points than to transfer them. Southwest charges a fee to transfer points, and it can add up quickly. Booking an award ticket for another passenger costs nothing extra and avoids those fees.
How many rewards points do you need for a free flight?
You can sometimes find Southwest award flights for as little as 3,000–4,000 points, especially during one of their frequent sales. These are usually short-haul routes in off-peak seasons, like St. Louis to Chicago, but when you find them, they deliver 2-3x the typical cents-per-point value.
Can you add Southwest Rapid Rewards after booking?
Yes. You can easily add your Rapid Rewards number after booking. Just go to “Manage Reservations” in the Southwest app or website and add your number to the traveler details. You can also call customer service and have them add it for you.
Do Rapid Rewards members get free checked bags?
Choice Extra fares and A-List Preferred members get two free checked bags. A-List members and Southwest credit card holders get their first checked bag free. All other travelers must pay for checked bags.
Does Southwest have first class?
Not in the traditional sense. With the elimination of open seating, Southwest reconfigured their planes to offer Extra Legroom Seats, which have more space in the front of the plane. But they are more like premium economy than business or first class.
Can I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest?
Yes. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to Southwest Rapid Rewards at 1:1, and Chase says most transfers process by the next business day (some take up to 7 business days). Chase's Southwest card terms count points from revenue flights booked through Southwest, points earned on Rapid Rewards credit cards, and base points from Rapid Rewards partners toward the Companion Pass. They do not say whether Ultimate Rewards transfers count.
Do Southwest points expire?
No. Southwest Rapid Rewards points never expire, regardless of account activity. As long as your Rapid Rewards account remains open, your points balance is safe indefinitely.
Media & Resources
Video Reviews
8 videosThe BEST Card for Southwest Flyers (SW Priority)
The Southwest Rapid Rewards PRIORITY Credit Card (Honest) Explanation & Review
Southwest Priority: The ONLY One Worth Keeping
YIKES: Southwest Card Changes Explained
Should You Keep or Cancel Your Southwest Card Now? (NEW Updates in 2025)
Which Southwest Card is Best?
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card Review - Everything You Need To Know
Third-Party Articles & Reviews
How the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card pays for itself
Value analysis showing how benefits like seat selection, early boarding, and anniversary points offset the annual fee with typical usage patterns.
20 Benefits of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Comprehensive benefits guide cataloging all 20+ perks including hidden benefits, insurance coverage, and tips for maximizing card value.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card Review
Expert review analyzing earning potential, benefits, fees, and who should apply based on Southwest travel frequency and spending habits.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card review
In-depth review examining earning categories, Companion Pass benefits, seat selection perks, and break-even analysis for the annual fee.
Is a Southwest Credit Card Worth It?
Comparison guide evaluating all Southwest credit cards, helping readers choose between Plus, Premier, and Priority based on travel patterns.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card 2025 Review
Detailed review with pros/cons analysis, earning rates breakdown, and comparisons to other Southwest cards and airline credit cards.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card review: Full details
Comprehensive review covering earning rates, benefits, redemption options, and whether the card is worth the annual fee for Southwest flyers.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card Reviews: Is It Worth It?
User reviews and expert analysis covering recent changes to benefits, annual fee adjustments, and value proposition for different traveler profiles.
Card Design
Evidence Sources
| Source | Verified | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Chase | — | Chase |
| Southwest Partner | — | Southwest Partner |
| The Points Guy | — | The Points Guy |
| Sw Media | — | Sw Media |
| RewardsCC API | — | RewardsCC API |
| Issuer Page | Issuer Page: Welcome offer | |
| Issuer Page | Issuer Page: Earn rates | |
| Issuer Page | Issuer Page: Cobrand | |
| Issuer Page | Issuer Page: Multiple card facts | |
| Issuer Page | Issuer Page: Apr | |
| Issuer Page | Issuer Page: Welcome offer | |
| Chase Official | Chase Official | |
| Chase Official | Chase Official |
Top brands for this card
Brands where this card's earn-rate structure makes it a strong choice. Open a brand for the full ranked list.
